ACFL Division 1
St Enda’s 3-05 Cargin 0-13
Cargin’s unbeaten run in the 2024 league ended on Saturday evening last when they travelled to Hightown to meet St Enda’s. The Toome men were fancied by most to continue in winning ways but the home side, ably assisted by the hugely impressive Fionn Nagle, had other ideas.
The hard working mid-fielder proved the hat trick hero finding the visitors net in the opening half aided by a precision kick out and a superb cross and followed with two more in the second in the 44th and 53rd minutes.
The visitors worked hard to save the contest in the latter stages and they were unfortunate when a Tom Shivers goal was ruled out, but the clock was against them and at the long whistle the home side had claimed the points.
In the event this game was a case of history repeating itself as this was the fourth year in succession that St Enda’s have defeated the Toome men in the league at Hightown.
Little separated to protagonist as St Enda’s played hosts to the reigning county champions who were unbeaten in the league thus far and little separated the sides in the opening phase.
Michael McCann was first to find the target, opening Cargin’s account with a 3rd minute point and he was to turn provider a few minutes later as he combined with brother Tomas to send Callum Gribbin in for a point.
St Enda’s were quick to provide response and after Cargin net minder, John McNabb made a splendid save to deny Tomas Gilmour, James McAuley fired between the posts to open the home side’s account and Niall McKeown followed with another to bring the sides level.
A Justin Crozier point gave the visitors back the lead in the 14th minute but that advantage was short lived as an accurate kick out and an inch perfect delivery opened the way for mid fielder Nagle to fire to the Cargin net.
The visitors were not to linger long in arrears however as Tomas McCann fired a 30 metre free between the posts before Hugh O’ Donnell and David Johnston combined to open the way for Callum Gribbin to add his second of the evening.
St. Enda’s replied through Ronan Kella in the 24th minute and James Laverty and the excellent Fionn Nagle swapped further points before Tomas McCann kicked the final point of the half to leave it 1-05 to 0-07 in favour of the home side.
The visitors started the second half on a positive note with an early Justin Crozier point to square the contest but Carl McCabe’s side were quick to reply and a counter attack down the left saw a Donal Walsh cross open the way for Fionn Nagle to add a second major and put his side three ahead.
Cargin replied and appeared to have equalised with Kevin McShane combining with Michael and Thomas McCann and Tom Shivers finishing to the net but despite loud protestations the score was wiped out for a square ball infringement.
Cargin tried to reply with full back McShane and net minder John McNabb pushing forward and Michael McCann now the focal point of the attack and back to back points from Tomas McCann saw the deficit reduced to the minimum 2-05 to 0-10 as the game entered the last quarter.
The Toome men were on the front foot as they probed for scores but the home side’s defence stood tall.
St. Enda’s broke from defence as Eoghan O’ Hare carried the ball down the left to open the way for mid field general Fionn Nagle to complete his hat trick and ensure a five point lead 3-05 to 0-10 as the clock ticked towards completion.
Cargin with their unbeaten run in 2024 in danger, pressed in the closing minutes with net minder John McNabb firing over a couple of points and Callum Gribbin and Tomas McCann brought their respective personal contributions to three for the evening but that was close as they would get.
A good win for St. Enda’s asnd following their victory in Ballymena on Wednesday night hey now move onto 10 points from 10 starts points while Cargin, at the time of writing are still in top spot, but Casement’s and St. Brigid’s who both play on Sunday, have the opportunity to climb above them.
St Enda’s: Seanan Nagle, Niall Healey, Ruairi Hamilton, Eoghan O’ Hare, Ronan O’ Neill, Carl Mc Cabe, Conan Lyttle, Sean Murray, Fionn Nagle (3-01), Colm Mc Cabe, Ronan Kella, Donal Walsh, Fiontan O’ Connor, Thomas Gilmore, Nial Mc Keown (0-02), James Mc Auley (0-01)
Cargin: John Mc Nabb (0-03), Sean og Quinn, Kevin Mc Shane, Cahir Donnelly, John Carron, Ronan Gribbin, Hugh O’ Donnell, Justin Crozier (0-02), Gerard Mc Cann, David Johnston, Tomas Mc Cann (0-02), James Laverty (0-01), Tom Shivers (0-01), Michael Mc Cann (0-01), Callum Gribbin (0-03).
Subs: Jack Harney
Referee: B Burns (St Comgall’s)